Hitch means



M y 1938. v. F. BAUMGADNER 2,119,263

HITCH MEANS Filed Dec. 27, 1937 INVENTOR Versa/ frresf flau/nyardzer BY M3'M ATTORN EYJ,

P atented May 31, 193s 2 11 3.

UNITED STATES PATIENT OFFICE 2,119,263 mien MEANS versal Forrest Baumgardner, Celina, ohm Application December 2'7, 1937, Serial 181,726 a olaimsQ' (01. 280 -3310) This invention relates to hitch means. for retruck A imparts a forward pull on the cross memleasably connecting trailer attachments, for inber 5 through the engagement of the cross-bar stance a surface material spreading machine, to 2 with the fork members [5, and that a'pull of vehicles, and has primarily for its object the prothe cross member 5 is applied to the machine B vision of improvements in the hitch means shown through the guides 6, and also that'a relative 5 in my prior U. S. Letters Patent No.- 2,050,518, rocking of the truck A and machine B is compenwhereby the hitch parts are vertically adjustable sated for by the vertical rocking of the cross in an easy and simple manner from a side of the member 5 in the guide 6. attachment to permit such parts to be raised or For the purpose of the present invention, the 1 lowered to suit the position of the cooperatingincross member 5 is carried for vertical rocking terengaging vehicle member and to permit the movements by a centrally disposed pivot l which level position of the attachment to be maintained extends forwardly and rearwardly through the The invention is fully described in the followcross member and has its rear end enlarged or ing specification, and a preferred embodiment headed to have vertical movements in a grooved in whichchine B centrally between the two guides 6. The Figure 1 is a perspective elevation of an atouter end of the pivot l5 has a link l6 projecting tachment embodying the invention operatively downwardly therefrom and pivotally connected connected to a spreading machine; Fig. 2 is an to a rocker arm I! projecting from the forward enlarged end elevation thereof, with a part broken end of a shaft l8 journaled in the machine frame 20 away; Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary section B below the cross member 5 and extending foron the line 3-3 in Fig; 1; Fig. 4 is an enlarged wardly and rearwardly of the machine. A rocker section on the line 4--4 in Fig. 3, and Fig. 5 is a arm l9 fixedly rises from an inner end portion of section on the line 5-5 in Fig. 4, with parts the shaft l8 within a portion of the machine B broken away. and carries at its upper end a swivel nut 20 5 Referring to the drawing, A designates, in threaded on a control shaft 2|. This shaft is dotted lines, a truck frame, or the like, and B a suitably journaled in the frame of the machine machine attached thereto and of the type, in the B and projects outwardly from one side of such present instance, for spreading a road surfacing machine in convenient reach of an operator, and material. carries an operating crank 22 at such end. 30 The hitch means comprising the illustrated em- It is apparent that a turning of the crank 22 bodiment of the invention includes two vertically and shaft 2| will impart a rocking movement to disposed arms I fixedly attached to and dependthe rocker arm l9 due to the threaded engageing from an end cross. member of the truck frame ment of the nut 20 and shaft 2|, thereby rocking A in horizontally spaced position and connected the shaft I8 which in turn will effect a move- 5 at their free ends by a cross-bar 2, the ends of ment of the toggle links l6, H, to effect a raising which project beyond the respective arms to form or lowering of the cross member 5 depending on trunnions. the direction of turning of the shaft 2!. An easy Attached to the end of the machine B, which and quick vertical adjustment of the member 5 is to be attached to the truck, is a cross memmay be effected so as. to position the fork mem- 4Q ber 5, in the present instance, of elongated flat bers II] to suit the position of the engaging crossplate form, said member having its ends mounted bar 2 of the truck. It will be understood that in guidest for vertical sliding movements. Fixedthe vertical position of the cross-bar 2 varies 1y attached to the cross member 5 and projecting with the load in the truck, so that it raises as outwardly therefrom away from the machine B such load is discharged into the machine B. are a pair of fork members Ill spaced lengthwise It is desirable in practice to maintain the maof the member 5 and adapted to receive the rechine B in level position,inasmuch as it operates spective end trunnions of the cross-bar 2 in their best in such position, and it is therefore import-- forks, as shown in Fig. 1. Each fork member l0 ant to provide a means which is easily operable is provided with a hook-form of pawl H for reduring the material spreading operation to ad- 50 leasably engaging the cross-bar 2 and retaining just the position of the hitch means on the mait within the fork members It, as described in my chine to suit the position of the cross-bar 2 of said former Letters Patent. A control shaft l2 the truck. is provided for the pawls II. I wish it understood that my invention is not It is apparent that a forward movement of the limited to any specific construction, arrangement 55 thereof illustrated in the accompanying drawing, guide-bar 8 attached to the front end of thema- 1 5- or form of the parts, as it is capable of numerous modifications and changes Without departing from the spirit of the claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent, is:

1. In a hitch device of the class described, a cross member carried by an apparatus to be towed for vertical pivotal and vertical reciprocatory movements, a pull on such member exerting a pull on the apparatus, means fixed to the apparatus to be towed and guiding the movements of said member, means operable to impart vertical adjustment to said member, said adjusting means including a screw control shaft disposed rearwardly of said member, a second shaft projecting forwardly across the vertical plane of said member, connection between said screw shaft and second shaft to impart predetermined rotation to the second shaft when the screw shaft is turned, and a toggle connection between said second shaft and said member in advance of the member, whereby rotation of the second shaft imparts vertical adjusting movements to the member and permits vertical pivotal movements of the member.

2. In a hitch device of the class described, the combination with an apparatus to be towed, a cross member carried by said apparatus for vertical pivotal and vertical reciprocatory movements, a pull on such member exerting a pull on such apparatus, means carried by the apparatus for guiding the pivotal and reciprocatory movements of said member, said guide means ineluding a vertical guide disposed substantially centrally of the horizontal length of said member, a pivot projecting through said member and cooperating with said vertical guide to guide the adjusting movements of said member, and control means carried by said apparatus and operable to impart vertical adjustment to said member, said control means being disposed partly at the rear of and partly in advance of said member and being connected to said pivot.

3. In a hitch device of the class described, the combination with an apparatus to be towed, a cross member carried by said apparatus for vertical pivotal and vertical reciprocatory movements, a pull on such member exerting a pull on such apparatus, means carried by the apparatus for guiding the pivotal and reciprocatory movements of said member, said guide means including a vertical guide disposed substantially centrally of the horizontal length of said member, a pivot projecting through said member and cooperating with said vertical guide to guide the adjusting movements of said member, and control means carried by said apparatus and operable to impart vertical adjustment to said member, said control means including a screw control shaft disposed rearwardly of said member, a second shaft extending forwardly and rearwardly with respect to said member and having connection at its rear end with the shaft, whereby a turning of the screw shaft imparts rotary movement to said second shaft, and a toggle link connection between said second shaft and pivot in advance of said member to impart vertical adjustment to the pivot and member when the second shaft is rotated.

VERSAL FORREST BAUMGARDNER. 

